Unit 6: Set 6: Capitol Fire - Activities

Problem solving: Historians have the advantage of hindsight. They know how decisions were made and can evaluate whether the outcome served its purpose well or not. Consider the data you have on the building of the new capitol and your knowledge of the capitol today. Was the new capitol a good solution to the problem of an adequate state house for North Dakota?

Current Events: Your town or county may be facing the decision to build a new courthouse, school, or other public building. Public buildings are costly and often require the imposing of new taxes. What should your county/town do? Is a new building the best solution? What about remodeling or adding on to an existing building? What advice would you give the decision makers in your community?

Discussion: Labor violence is rare in North Dakota, but strikers attacked other workers at the capitol construction site. Was violence necessary to get state officials and contractors to pay attention to the demands of the unskilled workers? Did the workers have a just claim to higher wages?

Research: Is it possible that there were communist labor organizers in North Dakota in 1933? What evidence do you have to support your answer?